Protesters again jam Tehran

Iran's supreme leader appeals for unity

Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI and NASSER KARIMI

TEHRAN, Iran - Thousands of pro-reform protesters marched Tuesday in a second straight day of large street demonstrations in the Iranian capital, defying the government after the clerical regime said it would recount some disputed ballots from the presidential election.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to unite behind the cleric-led ruling system despite the rival demonstrations and street clashes, state television reported, and he said representatives of all four candidates should be present for any limited recount of disputed ballots.

"In the elections, voters had different tendencies, but they equally believe in the ruling system and support the Islamic Republic," said Khamenei, who is Iran's ultimate authority.

The supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi marched about the same time - but in a different location - as a state-organized rally that also drew thousands of people waving flags and pictures of Iran's supreme leader in an apparent attempt to reclaim the streets for the government.

Following a demonstration of hundreds of thousands of Mousavi supporters on Monday, the regime issued tough restrictions on journalists, barring foreign media from covering rallies in Tehran.

Witnesses and amateur video showed a large column of Mousavi supporters walking peacefully along a central avenue in North Tehran.

A witness told The Associated Press that the pro-Mousavi rally stretched more than a mile along Vali Asr avenue, from Vanak Square to the headquarters of Iranian state television.

Security forces did not interfere, the witness said, and the protest lasted from about 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other witnesses told the AP that about 100 people were still protesting in front of state TV about 9:45 p.m.

A correspondent for state-controlled Press TV said the crowd carried banners of Mousavi, wore green headbands and covered their mouths in an apparent defense against tear gas.

The clerical government appears to be trying to defuse popular anger and quash unrest by announcing the limited recount even as it cracks down on foreign media.

President Obama said the disputed election revealed a change in expectations among voters and perhaps their leaders.

"I do believe that something has happened in Iran," with Iranians more willing to question the government's "antagonistic postures" toward the world, Obama said.